Try SuperBeam 5 now!
See how SuperBeam could save you time and money!
The key limitation of this demo version is that a watermark is printed on each calculation sheet - everything else is identical to the full version. When you buy a license we issue you with a personalized activation key that removes the watermarks.
The Demo version offers a 30-day trial and is fully functional apart from printing. System requirements: Windows 2000/XP/Vista. Download size 3.7MB; further 4MB hard disk space required to instal. CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
The download comes with a 58 page manual in PDF format (Adobe Acrobat reader needed). If you are downloading the demo you may also find it helpful to print out this page. In conjunction with the on-line help it should be enough to give you all the information you need to get started. Download the manual only (1.25MB). A printed manual is avaiable from Lulu.com - click here for details
For technical support please visit our support forums, alternatively please email Tony Bryer at Survey Design Associates. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.
Installation
Clicking on the link or button above will either run the installation program immediately or will let you download it to your computer from where you can run it. The filename is SBxxxyyy.EXE where xxx and yyy are the version and build numbers (e.g. SB440001.EXE).
Once you have installed the program, start it (Start Menu, Programs, SDA Applications, SuperBeam 5). Click on 'OK' to clear the disclaimer screen. A project file called DEFAULT will be loaded. The display should look something like the one shown below.
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A SuperBeam project consists of one or more 'items'. An 'item' is a beam, steel column, wood post or stud, text page or OLE page. You can add items to your project by using the toolbar buttons or from the Project menu. You can edit items by double clicking on the window, clicking on the pen icon on the toolbar, selecting 'Edit' from the menu or by pressing Alt+E - one of these should suit your preferred way of working.
Starting a new project
To start a new project, select File, New. The Project details dialog will be displayed; this lets you enter data in four fields as with our other programs. You can also choose whether to enter total loads (as in earlier versions) or enter separate dead and live components of loads (the option selected applies to the whole project, not individual items). Most people will probably find that total load entry is simpler; dead/live load entry allows steel beam deflection to be checked against live load deflection only, and automatically calculates the required factor for steel bearing padstones and bearing plates. Once you have entered the required information (you can go back and change it later if necessary) you will be prompted for a file name under which your work will be saved.
Top of pageBeam design
To add a beam to your project, click on the Add Beam icon or select the Project, Add Beam option. The beam edit dialog, shown next, will be displayed.
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The dialog is arranged as a four page notebook. Clicking on the 'Apply' button commits any changes that you make without closing the dialog, and you see the updated calculations in the corresponding window. 'Undo' restores the data to what it was before you started editing or last pressed 'Apply'.
On the first page you enter something to identify the beam, the span, the beam type, whether you want to print one or both diagrams (ignored in the demo version) and you then enter the loads on the beam in the table below.
The column headed 'T' defines the load type: 'U' for a load which is uniformly distributed between the beam reactions; 'R' for a part UDL - you enter the loading and start and end postions (measured in metres from R1); 'V' for a variable or triangular load - you enter the start load and position and end load and position (each in kN/m run and m. from R1); and, lastly, 'P' for a point load, entered in kN, position in m. from R1. If you have opted for separate dead and live load entry the load type is entered in thesecond column, 'D' or 'L'. In the 'Desc' column enter something to identify the load and then enter the loads and positions as appropriate. When you have entered the loads click on 'Apply'. The calculation window will be updated.
If the beam is a steel beam, click on the Steel tab and you will see a display like the one below. Make any changes, then 'Apply' again. The required size will be shown on the button immediately under 'Consider' (see below) - you can click on the button to manually choose an alternative section, if you don't want the one that the program has selected. Then click on the 'Bearings' tab and change the bearing details as necessary. Click once more on 'Apply' then close the dialog and you're done.
Timber beam design is handled in a similar way, but of course the options are different. If you enter the beam width and depth, that size will be checked. Enter '?' for either and the required dimension will be calculated.
Top of pageSteel column design and checking
If you've grasped how beam design is tackled, you will have no problems with steel columns and wood posts and studs - the concepts are identical.
SuperBeam's column design dialog has three pages, one each for loads, steel design parameters and base plate sizing. If you choose the cap connection or beam reactions options, SuperBeam automatically calculates the moment resulting from the applied load.
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Wood posts and studs
This dialog shows lets you enter the loading and design criteria for wood posts and studs. These can be axially loaded only or axially loaded and subject to bending to about the major axis.
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Uninstall
No specific uninstall program is provided. The following files (default paths shown) are installed by this demo and can removed via 'My Computer' or Windows Explorer:
- C:\Program Files\SDA ...SB4USA.EXE, ....SB4USA.CHM, ....USREADME.HTM
- ....SB4STEEL.DTA, ....SB4WOOD.DTA
- C:\WINDOWS\SDA_APPS.INI or C:\WINNT\SDA_APPS.INI
- C:\SDA\SBWUSPRJ\*.SBU (project files)
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Ordering the full version
If you want to keep using SuperBeam after the 30-day trial period - and we hope you will - you will need to purchase a license. On receipt of your payment you will be sent an activation key which will let you keep using the program and will also remove the watermark from printouts. The key will unlock updates issued during the next 12 months. After that you will be able to buy a low cost key extension (if you choose not to do so, the functionality of any version already installed will not be affected). Special introductory offer: single user license just $99
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